Nomination’s for the inaugural Tairāwhiti Māori Sports Awards 2016 are now open. This is the first time in nine years the event has been held.
The awards, previously known as “Tūranganui a Kiwa Māori Sports Awards”, was first held in 1994 and was the first regional Māori sports awards event to be held in the country.
The main prerequisite criteria for nominations are Sports teams’ MUST have 100% Māori participants. Nominees must also have resided in Tairāwhiti for a minimum of two years and/or whakapapa back to one of the local Tairāwhiti iwi.
Annaleigh Stills from Ease Up Tairāwhiti says, “There have been some major sporting achievement over the past few years that we thought it was time to bring back the awards after a nine year break, so that Māori athletes from this region can have access to the same opportunities as top NZ athletes do. It’s important that we as a community recognise our talent and support them in their sporting career“
Nominations for the Tairāwhiti Maori Sports Awards close 5pm, Thursday 11th August.
The awards will take place on Saturday September 10 at the Quality Hotel Emerald.